Richie Sambora SA-2 variations

I decided to dig a bit deeper into the various versions there are or were of the ESP / LTD SA-2 Richie Sambora Signature Guitar.

Due to the fact that Richie is now a self-employed musician and is no longer (of still not) a part of Bon Jovi, the prices of the Richie Sambora signature guitars (Fender, Martin, ESP, Kramer) have gone up significantly. Why? Well, perhaps some fans fear there will be no signature guitar in the future.

Anyway, I decided to dig up some pics of the SA-1 and SA-2 including the prototypes.

SA-1

The SA-1 is the first prototype used by Richie and has only one pickup, at the bridge position. It was built by Chris Hoffschneider and was designed by Richie. The SA-2 often had the Floyd Rose Speedloaded on the headstock and the bridge.

The SA-1 is thus the non-production version of the SA-2. The SA-1 has the Speedloader on the head and does not have the “Sambora” logo on the head. SA-1 was at least made in 2 versions. White and Black, which had 2 pickups and the all-white, which has only one pickup.

They can also be identified by the fact that it has the speedloader made by Floyd Rose on the headstock. Richie Played this particular white version of the guitar at the bon Jovi gig in Milton Keynes (UK) on June 10-2006. The guitar is now for sale on E-Bay for USD 10.000 here.

SA-1 (1)

SA-1 (2)

SA-1 Upclose1

SA-1 Upclose2

The other SA-1, the black version, was probably one of the earliest version Richie played. This one has the double pickup config. I guess one pickup did not do the trick. It has the speedloader on the headstock. More information can be found on my page here.

SA-2

The SA-2 (with the 2 pickup configuration) comes either with or without the speed loader. ESP only manufactured these without. This version was spotted in 4 colours while used by Richie: Black/White, White, Sunburst or Black/Silver.

Then there is a, what seems to be a modified production SA-2 (notice that the headstock does not have the speedloader, but more the traditional head with the knobs). Richie also used regular production versions of the SA-2 on stage. here it is.

Richie with SA-2

See the 2 pickups here below.

Black and white SA-2

Then there is another variation of the SA-2 which is the black and gray version. This one is less known to the public. The pickguard is silver in stead of white.

SA-2 Black and Silver

SA-2 Black and Silver (2)

Here is the sunburst version of the SA-2

SA-2 Sunburst (2)

SA-2 Sunburst (2)

Sunburst SA-2

And here is the white version of the SA-2. Mind the white/white headstock in stead of the black/white headstock.

SA-2 White

SA-2 White 2

SA-2 White 3

Again, this one does not have the speedloader, so it seems to be a modified production version of the SA-2. As soon as I identify more of these guitars, I will post them.

And for those pictures I posted…hope you do not object to the posting. I use the to inform the fans all over the world and I do not have any commercial objective.